Galarcep: Top 5 Americans Abroad – Feb. 24-26, 2012

Jun 24, 2009; Mangaung/Bloemfontein, SOUTH AFRICA; United States forward Jozi Altidore (17) celebrates with teammate Charlie Davies (9) after scoring the first goal during their semifinals match against Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup at Free State Stadium. USA won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Valeria Witters/Witters Sport via US PRESSWIRE

Jun 24, 2009; Mangaung/Bloemfontein, SOUTH AFRICA; United States forward Jozi Altidore (17) celebrates with teammate Charlie Davies (9) after scoring the first goal during their semifinals match against Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup at Free State Stadium. USA won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Valeria Witters/Witters Sport via US PRESSWIRE

Bittersweet taste

It was a bittersweet week for American soccer players plying their trade abroad this past weekend. For some players, the weekend marked a chance to re-establish themselves as starters for their teams. For others, the weekend was marred by injuries that couldn’t have come at worse times. Jose Torres and Timmy Chandler suffered injuries that have forced them out of the US men’s national team’s upcoming friendly against Italy. Jermaine Jones even managed to get hurt, despite still serving the end of his month-long suspension, suffering an injury in training last week that also forced him to miss the USA-Italy friendly. There was plenty of good news though for Americans Abroad. Jozy Altidore marked his return to the AZ Alkmaar starting lineup by scoring two goals in a 3-3 draw vs. Heerenveen. Zak Whitbread came back from a hamstring injury to start and record an assist in Norwich City’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United. Under-23 midfielder Mikkel Diskerud continued to assert his place as a starter for Belgian side KAA Gent, going 90 minutes in Gent’s 2-0 win vs. RAEC Bergen Mons. Here are the top Americans Abroad from the past weekend:

Joey Corona, M/W, Tijuana

The US Under-23 midfielder helped continue Club Tijuana’s impressive season in Mexico by scoring his team’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw against Club Toluca on Saturday. The point helped keep Tijuana just four points out of first place. Corona has settled into the Club Tijuana starting lineup and is once again playing like the player who helped lead the Xolos to the Mexican Primera.

Herculez Gomez, F, Santos Laguna

It was a bittersweet day for Gomez on Sunday, as he opened his scoring account for Santos Laguna before missing a penalty kick that could have helped the club avoid a 2-1 defeat against Guadalajara. Despite the missed penalty, Gomez still played well coming on as a second half substitute and should continue to earn minutes, particularly when Santos Laguna begins play in CONCACAF Champions League next month. Gomez and Santos will take on the Seattle Sounders in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Tim Ream, D, Bolton

The final result wasn’t memorable, but Ream held his own in his first Premier League start for Bolton in the Trotters’ 3-0 loss to Chelsea on Saturday. He had a solid first half as Bolton held onto a shutout, but was not involved in the Blues’ first two goals. While he could have shared some of the blame on Frank Lampard’s third goal, Ream still held his own against a strong team and looks like a good bet to keep earning starts for the relegation-threatened club.

Danny Williams, D, 1899 Hoffenheim

A coaching change is always a situation that can threaten starting roles, but new Hoffenheim manager Markus Babbel has shown confidence in Williams and US national team teammate Fabian Johnson. Williams repaid that confidence with a strong performance in Hoffenheim’s 2-1 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday. Williams’ versatility has helped him contribute both as a central defender and defensive midfielder, and his recent form should make him a top option for Jurgen Klinsmann’s starting lineup against Italy on Wednesday.

Jozy Altidore, F, AZ Alkmaar

Making the most of an injury to the forward who took his starting job, Altidore returned to the AZ Alkmaar starting lineup in emphatic fashion, scoring two goals in AZ’s 3-3 draw vs. Heerenveen on Sunday. Altidore’s 13 goals in all competitions is second among Americans playing abroad behind Clint Dempsey at Fulham, and have him on course for one of the best seasons by an American in Europe.

Bittersweet taste

It was a bittersweet week for American soccer players plying their trade abroad this past weekend. For some players, the weekend marked a chance to re-establish themselves as starters for their teams. For others, the weekend was marred by injuries that couldn’t have come at worse times. Jose Torres and Timmy Chandler suffered injuries that have forced them out of the US men’s national team’s upcoming friendly against Italy. Jermaine Jones even managed to get hurt, despite still serving the end of his month-long suspension, suffering an injury in training last week that also forced him to miss the USA-Italy friendly. There was plenty of good news though for Americans Abroad. Jozy Altidore marked his return to the AZ Alkmaar starting lineup by scoring two goals in a 3-3 draw vs. Heerenveen. Zak Whitbread came back from a hamstring injury to start and record an assist in Norwich City’s 2-1 loss to Manchester United. Under-23 midfielder Mikkel Diskerud continued to assert his place as a starter for Belgian side KAA Gent, going 90 minutes in Gent’s 2-0 win vs. RAEC Bergen Mons. Here are the top Americans Abroad from the past weekend:

Joey Corona, M/W, Tijuana

The US Under-23 midfielder helped continue Club Tijuana’s impressive season in Mexico by scoring his team’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw against Club Toluca on Saturday. The point helped keep Tijuana just four points out of first place. Corona has settled into the Club Tijuana starting lineup and is once again playing like the player who helped lead the Xolos to the Mexican Primera.

Herculez Gomez, F, Santos Laguna

It was a bittersweet day for Gomez on Sunday, as he opened his scoring account for Santos Laguna before missing a penalty kick that could have helped the club avoid a 2-1 defeat against Guadalajara. Despite the missed penalty, Gomez still played well coming on as a second half substitute and should continue to earn minutes, particularly when Santos Laguna begins play in CONCACAF Champions League next month. Gomez and Santos will take on the Seattle Sounders in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Tim Ream, D, Bolton

The final result wasn’t memorable, but Ream held his own in his first Premier League start for Bolton in the Trotters’ 3-0 loss to Chelsea on Saturday. He had a solid first half as Bolton held onto a shutout, but was not involved in the Blues’ first two goals. While he could have shared some of the blame on Frank Lampard’s third goal, Ream still held his own against a strong team and looks like a good bet to keep earning starts for the relegation-threatened club.

Danny Williams, D, 1899 Hoffenheim

A coaching change is always a situation that can threaten starting roles, but new Hoffenheim manager Markus Babbel has shown confidence in Williams and US national team teammate Fabian Johnson. Williams repaid that confidence with a strong performance in Hoffenheim’s 2-1 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday. Williams’ versatility has helped him contribute both as a central defender and defensive midfielder, and his recent form should make him a top option for Jurgen Klinsmann’s starting lineup against Italy on Wednesday.

Jozy Altidore, F, AZ Alkmaar

Making the most of an injury to the forward who took his starting job, Altidore returned to the AZ Alkmaar starting lineup in emphatic fashion, scoring two goals in AZ’s 3-3 draw vs. Heerenveen on Sunday. Altidore’s 13 goals in all competitions is second among Americans playing abroad behind Clint Dempsey at Fulham, and have him on course for one of the best seasons by an American in Europe.